Jul12017

Xi expresses confidence in HK new chief executive

East Asia

President Xi Jinping on Saturday expressed confidence in new chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in leading the Asian financial hub to achieve new development.

In their meeting shortly after Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was sworn in, Xi said he believed Lam could lead the new HKSAR government and all sectors of the Hong Kong society to score new achievements in various undertakings in Hong Kong.

As Hong Kong marks the 20th anniversary of its return to China, Xi said “great responsibilities and a glorious mission” had fallen on Lam’s shoulders.

“The Hong Kong society is placing great hopes in you, and the central government also has high expectations for you,” Xi told Lam.

He urged Lam to earnestly carry out her duty as the chief executive, implement the “one country, two systems” principle in a comprehensive and accurate manner, and safeguard the authority of the country’s Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law.

Efforts should also be made to further develop Hong Kong’s economy, improve its people’s well-being, and maintain the region’s prosperity and stability, Xi said.

“The central government will render full support to you and the new HKSAR government to administer Hong Kong according to law and break new ground in the great cause of ‘one country, two systems,'” Xi said.

Jul12017

Xi inspects key infrastructure projects in HK

East Asia

President Xi Jinping Saturday inspected major infrastructure projects in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), urging more efforts to keep and improve its competitiveness.

Xi inspected the construction site of the Hong Kong segment of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge, noting that building of the bridge is a major step of the central government to support better development of Hong Kong, Macao and the Pearl River Delta region.

It also represents an important achievement of close collaboration among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao under the “one country, two systems” framework, he added.

He urged active follow-up work on the project to ensure its smooth and safe operation after completion.

Xi also inspected the construction of the third runway at Hong Kong International Airport, saying that the central government supports the building of the runway to help Hong Kong consolidate its status as a global aviation hub and improve its overall competitiveness.

The president said that efforts must be made to ensure safe and efficient construction of the project, and maximize its benefits after completion.

Xi arrived in Hong Kong Thursday for a three-day trip to attend celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the fifth-term government of the HKSAR. He also inspected the HKSAR.

Jul12017

Temporary Traffic Order – Westfield Place #dundeewestend

Fraser Macpherson
From the City Council :

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1)
THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of Virgin Media cable repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Westfield Place (at its junction with Perth Road), Dundee
This notice comes into effect on Sunday 2 July 2017 for 1 day.
Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.
Alternative routes are available via Perth Road / Roseangle
The one way order relating to Westfield Place will be rescinded for the duration of these works.
For further information contact 433082.
Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Jul12017

News story: Joint Concert by British and Armenian Military Bands in Yerevan

HM Government

On June 23, The Salamanca Band and the Bugles of The Rifles of the UK Ministry of Defence performed a joint concert with the Honour Guard Unit and the Military Band of the General Staff of the Armenia Ministry of Defence at Freedom Square in Yerevan, Armenia.

The UK and Armenia Ministries of Defence organised the concert as part of the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Relations Garen Nazarian and Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Armenia Judith Farnworth attended the event.

Ambassador Farnworth mentioned in her opening remarks:

Over the last 25 years the United Kingdom and the Republic of Armenia have developed strong partnerships in a range of areas – political, economic, commercial, cultural, and, of course, defence. The UK is committed to building on these strong foundations by further developing our cooperation for the benefit of Armenia and the United Kingdom.

The Deputy Foreign Minister Garen Nazarian said:

Not incidentally, we are commencing the celebrations with a cultural event. These type of events are aimed at promoting mutual understanding and increasing contacts between our societies.

Mr Nazarian also underlined that the two countries cooperate successfully in the bilateral and multilateral formats, focusing on the challenges threatening the international community and the issues related to addressing them. He expressed hope that the positive dynamics of close cooperation will be maintained through joint efforts and the interstate dialogue will be raised to a qualitatively new level.

The sight of the two military bands drew large crowds of appreciative onlookers who enjoyed the performance of classic and popular British and Armenian tunes.

Besides this concert, the British military band also performed at the Yerevan State Conservatory and during the Queen’s Birthday Party in Armenia.

Visit the British Embassy Yerevan’s Facebook page for more photos of the Salamanca’s performances in Armenia.